US and UK athletics stars to battle it out

HIGH PRAISE: Sir Mo Farah has said next year’s event will be “awesome”

BRITISH ATHLETICS and USA Track & Field (USATF) have announced that two of the strongest nations in global athletics will go head-to-head in a new one-day competition next year.

Entitled 'The Meet' and hosted by British Athletics, the event will be staged next year on July 21 at the London Stadium in Stratford, east London. It will feature a new, fast-paced format designed to appeal to new audiences at one of the most celebrated athletics stadiums in the world.

Many of the stars of British Athletics and USA Track & Field are expected to take part in the event at London’s iconic athletics stadium.

Niels de Vos, Chief Executive Officer at British Athletics, said:

“The Meet will provide audiences with a fantastic head-to-head match between British Athletics and USA Track & Field, and promises to be one of the biggest events in athletics in 2018. We are delighted to host Team USATF here in London, in an event that will excite spectators in the best athletics stadium in
the world. This event will thrill a whole new generation of athletics fans who have attended the London Stadium in their hundreds of thousands for the Muller Anniversary Games, World Para Athletics Champion- ships and IAAF World Championships. Fans can register their interest in event now via the British Athletics website.”

A blend of running, jumping, hurdles and relay events will ensure an exciting competition lasting two hours. The British Athletics team and Team USATF athletes will score points for their respective countries in nine events in a compact, fan-friendly programme.

“USATF is thrilled to collaborate and innovate with British Athletes on The Meet,” USATF CEO Max Siegel said.

“Team competition captures the attention of fans in a way that brings excitement, attention and focus to our sport. The Meet will bring track and field back to the future by reviving dual-meet team competition in a way that caters to modern fans.”

Specific format and star athlete participants for The Meet will be announced beginning in early 2018. Some of the sport’s greatest athletes have already expressed their support for the concept.

Mo Farah, Britain’s greatest-ever distance athlete, said:

“The Meet is a great idea and will be a fantastic event for athletics fans, especially as it is at the London Stadium which is an amazing venue and has given me so many memories over the years. I think the UK has the best athletic fans in the world, and I have no doubt they will be there to cheer the British Athletics team on when they compete against Team USATF. It is going to be awesome.”

Allyson Felix, six-time Olympic gold medallist, inset left, said:

“The UK has passionate fans who love track and field. Bringing team competition back to the London Stadium will be special. We are really looking forward to the event.”

Read every story in our hardcopy newspaper for free by downloading the app.

Posted on: 26/08/2017 11:00 AM

Subscribe to The Voice database!

We'd like to keep in touch with you regarding our daily newsletter, Voice competitions, promotions and marketing material and to further increase our reach with The Voice readers.

If interested, please click the below button to complete the subscription form.